Blackwall vs HUMAN Security
Blackwall and HUMAN Security serve different market segments. Your organization's size, budget, and security requirements will determine which is the better fit.
Note: Blackwall and HUMAN Security target different market segments. This comparison highlights the trade-offs between solutions designed for different organizational sizes.
Overview
Blackwall and HUMAN Security are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Bot protection and WAF platform formerly known as BotGuard. Two products, BotGuard (website protection for SMBs) and GateKeeper (distributed reverse proxy with WAF for hosting providers). B2B2C model targeting hosting providers who bundle security for their customers. Free monitoring mode available. CloudFest Diamond sponsor.
Advanced bot management and fraud prevention platform combining technologies from HUMAN (formerly White Ops) and PerimeterX.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Blackwall | HUMAN Security |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom (contact sales) | Custom enterprise pricing |
| Ease of Use | 3.8/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.2/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | Any web server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) for BotGuard. Any hosting provider infrastructure for GateKeeper. Compatible with shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud environments. | Any web application, mobile apps, APIs |
| Compliance | GDPR compliant | SOC 2, ISO 27001, TAG Certified Against Fraud |
Pricing Comparison
Blackwall
Model: Custom (contact sales)
Free Tier AvailableBotGuard (Free Monitoring)
Free
BotGuard (Active Protection)
Custom
GateKeeper (Hosting Providers)
Custom
Features Comparison
Blackwall
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BotGuard Web Protection
Cloud-based bot detection and mitigation for individual websites. Integrates at the web server level without DNS redirect. Behavioral analysis distinguishes legitimate crawlers from malicious bots.
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GateKeeper Reverse Proxy
Distributed reverse proxy cluster for hosting providers. Sits in front of all hosted websites, providing transparent security without per-site configuration. Scales with hosting provider infrastructure.
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HTTP/3 QUIC Support
GateKeeper supports HTTP/3 with QUIC protocol, providing better performance on high-latency and lossy connections. Automatic protocol negotiation for browsers that support it.
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Automatic SSL Management
GateKeeper handles TLS 1.3 certificates automatically. SSL certificates are provisioned and renewed without manual intervention, reducing operational burden for hosting providers managing thousands of domains.
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WAF with OWASP Top 10
Rule-based WAF protecting against SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and other OWASP Top 10 attack vectors. Rules updated by the Blackwall security team.
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Behavioral Bot Detection
Uses behavioral analysis to classify traffic as human, good bot (search engine crawlers), or malicious bot. Goes beyond simple user-agent checking to analyze request patterns and behavior.
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Rate Limiting
Configurable rate limiting to mitigate brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and application-level DDoS. Can be applied per IP, per endpoint, or globally.
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CDN Caching Layer
GateKeeper includes a caching layer that absorbs traffic spikes and reduces load on origin servers. Static content is served from the proxy layer, improving response times.
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Free Monitoring Mode
Observe bot traffic and threat patterns without blocking anything. Useful for evaluation and traffic profiling. Available for both BotGuard and GateKeeper deployments.
HUMAN Security
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Behavioral Analysis
Advanced behavioral detection using client-side signals and server-side analysis.
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Human Verification
Proprietary technology to verify whether interactions are from humans or bots.
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Account Protection
Prevent account takeover, credential stuffing, and fake account creation.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Blackwall
- You need: Web hosting providers wanting to bundle bot protection and WAF for their customers. Hosting companies managing large numbers of domains that need automated SSL and transparent security. SMBs wanting bot protection without DNS changes.
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: Any web server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) for BotGuard. Any hosting provider infrastructure for GateKeeper. Compatible with shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud environments.
HUMAN Security
- You need: Large enterprises facing sophisticated bot threats, ad-tech companies, e-commerce platforms
- You're using: Any web application, mobile apps, APIs
We recommend evaluating both options with a trial or free tier before committing. Consider your existing infrastructure, team expertise, compliance requirements, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for startups: Blackwall or HUMAN Security?
Blackwall offers a free tier while HUMAN Security does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. Blackwall scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Blackwall or HUMAN Security?
HUMAN Security has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Blackwall (3.5/5). However, support quality can vary based on your plan tier - enterprise customers typically receive more responsive support from both providers. Consider evaluating support during a trial period.
Which is easier to implement: Blackwall or HUMAN Security?
Blackwall scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5) versus HUMAN Security (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Blackwall or HUMAN Security?
Blackwall offers a free tier while HUMAN Security requires a paid plan. HUMAN Security scores higher for value (3.3/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for enterprise: Blackwall or HUMAN Security?
HUMAN Security is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Blackwall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.